The 15-year-old was walking along Bolton Road when a silver Ford Ka passed him and stopped on the opposite side of the road, near to the junction with Marlborough Road.

The driver wound down the window and spoke to the boy, who assumed he was asking for directions and went over to the car.

The driver asked him several personal questions before asking him if he wanted a lift home. When the teen declined the driver asked to shake his hand but grabbed his hand and pulled it down onto his legs, asking him again to get in the car.

The teenager managed to wriggle free and walked off but realised the Ka was following him. He broke into a run and managed to lose the car.

The boy wasn’t physically hurt but was left upset by the incident which happened between 11pm and 11.30pm on Saturday, December 28.

His attacker was described as black with a large build, giving the impression of being tall. He had short dark shaved hair, short stubble and spoke slightly broken English. He wore grey cargo trousers and a black leather jacket. The Ford Ka was silver with darker grey or possible black bumpers.

Det Con Andrew Partington said: “We don’t want to cause any undue alarm but we believe we have to let people know this has happened.

“Thankfully the boy had the presence of mind to struggle free and run off, but the fact he was then followed by the car shows how potentially dangerous this man is.

“With that in mind I want people in Atherton to be aware of this man and to ensure they report anything suspicious to the police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Ipsoregulated

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